Jock Tamson's Gairden on the shores of Duddingston Loch is the most extraordinary place.  Home to community groups and charities, it uses the power of nature and gardening to help many people enjoy the outdoors and find healing and support in this beautiful space.  I visited on a classic Edinburgh windy day and met the inspirational head gardener, Lizz Spence, who talked about the team's entry in the Kilt Walk later this month which will raise much needed funds for the brilliant work being done in the garden.  We talked while Lizz collected flowers for the weekly produce sale and we had tea in the outdoor kitchen space.  There's plenty to discover here and visitors are welcome to just come in and wander round. Find out more by listening in and then checking out their website and social media. 

Welcome to this new podcast seeking out Edinburgh's green spaces.  I started by diving into some gorgeous nature sights and sounds right in the heart of the city.  Jim Heath, Chair of the Friends of Easter Craiglockhart Hill told Edinburgh Outdoors about the hill's unique nature, wildlife and history.  From sparrowhawks to overgrown bowling greens, the Hill is a wonderful place to find views, tranquility and opportunities to volunteer. 

The first episode of Season 2: Dunbars Close on the Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town is a reimagined seventeeth century garden and is well worth a visit.  Containing eight distinct areas, the garden combines formal shapes with more informal planting and features over 190 plants which were within Scotland around that time.  Many have medicinal properties and were brought to Scotland by adventurous plant explores. The garden was created by a charity called The Mushroom Trust. 

I explored the garden with regular contributor and local historian, Hetty Lancaster of Hetty's History Walks.  She brought fascinating insight into the creation of the garden,  as well as the plant explorers who brought plants back to Scotland and were instrumental in building our reputation in horticulture and the stories behind their adventures.  We toured the garden and chatted about the properties of the some of the plants, as well as hearing stories of some of the characters who travelled the globe to source what were then the new and exotic - but many of which are now our commonplace garden plants.

In the seventeenth century the Canongate was a suburb of the city and we also learn more about who lived here at the time and Edinburgh suburban living. 

To find the James Gordon 1647 map you can search the archives of the National Library of Scotland:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/102190447

The John Slezer picture from Calton Hill, part of an encylopedia of Scottish images - 'The Queen Anne View' - can be found here:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/74419503

The Mushroom Trust created and maintains the garden:

https://mushroomtrust.com/

Books discussed include:

Seeds of Blood and Beauty by Anne Lindsay:

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/collections/author-books-by-ann-lindsay

The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan:

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/collections/author-books-by-sara-sheridan

And finally, here is the location of Dunbar's Close:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7zbj1aBb6FKKxzrV7

 

 

 

 

 

The final podcast of Season 1 discovers Edinburgh's fascinating geology and the role played in the eighteenth century by the father of modern geology: James Hutton.   

I met up with geologist Angus Miller of Geowalks in the James Hutton Memorial Garden and he filled me in on how Hutton's thinking was so groundbreaking and influential, even in the modern day.  We looked at some significant rocks within the garden, which have been brought from all over Scotland, and then walked on Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park, spotting huge rocks which have fallen from the Crags and checking out the Hutton Section: the point where much of Hutton's thinking was inspired.  As always, there is also some chat about the outdoors and how it has inspired and supported Angus through his life. 

If you would like to know more about Angus Miller and joining one of his Geowalks you can check out his website:

https://geowalks.scot/

 

Find out more about James Hutton here: https://james-hutton.org/

And visit the locations yourself:

Hutton Memorial Garden: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f5hkMwb9c4nSiWYq5

Hutton Section in Holyrood Park (currently behind a fence, but you can get pretty close and hopefully the fence is going to be removed soon ...):

https://maps.app.goo.gl/f5hkMwb9c4nSiWYq5

 

 

 

 

Anna Neubert Wood runs her own business, Wander Women.  She created it to take women initially - but now everyone including individuals and groups - into the wilds to find peace, tranquility and childlike fun.

After a childhood in East Germany and flexi-schooling her children, Anna has created experiences that bring escape in the outdoors in and around Edinburgh.  Her offering includes wild swimming, picnicking, firelighting and forest bathing, amongst others - all to help us find mindfulness in outdoor spaces.  She also runs weekend retreats, which look exhilarating, and works with organisations like Womens Aid and her own Karma Women, to help those who need her help most. 

We spent an afternoon in the peaceful woods of Craigmillar Castle Park and we talked, drank tea and swung in a hammock.  Listen in to hear how Anna's childhood experiences informed her career change and how much she enjoys swimming in the outdoors. 

https://wander-women.co.uk/

You can find our location here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Svwnwfe5BBfJBEXh9

 

 

Charlie Ellis is a writer and walker with a keen interest in Edinburgh's former railways that are now footpaths and cycle routes.  He enjoys heading off to explore old paths and to find new, or potential, ones.  When we met up he took me off to find some existing and potential paths, including the Powderhall Line which was only closed in 2016 and is the subject of a campaign to have it joined into the North Edinburgh path network. 

After viewing some paths we talked writing, memories and discovering new places.

Charlie writes for a number of Edinburgh based publications and you can read some of his articles here: https://www.leithermagazine.com/leither152/the-path https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2023/11/21/the-world-reveals-itself-to-those-who-travel-on-foot/ https://www.leithermagazine.com/leither153/circles https://www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/powderhalls-path-potential

You can find Saughton Park here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aHtjQe2vruFSSXNG8

And St Mark's Park and the Powderhall Line here: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/sCkBdgrL5kncNHpVA

 

Learning all about bees: on a driech day in Edinburgh I went to visit the West Linton & District Beekeepers group in an equally driech Carlops, in the Pentland Hills.  There weren't many bees buzzing around on the day I dropped by to the apiary as it was a bit cold, but I still spent a brilliant hour with a great group of enthusiasts.

We talked all things bees, cold summers, swarms and the benefits of an absorbing hobby in the outdoors.  They were a fascinating group of bee experts and enterprising member, Jane, managed to get my microphone right inside a hive to hear what it sounds like inside! 

You can find out more about the group online:https://westlintonbka.wixsite.com/website - and on Instagram. 

Google maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/T9FPTpoHBKc7KUsQ6

 

 

Having occupied Britain for hundreds of years, the Romans had a huge impact on our culture, landscape and history.  I met the team from the now complete Rediscovering the Antonine Wall project to find out how they had worked with the line of the Antonine Wall - the Central Belt's own Roman wall (or what remains of it) to connect communities.   We talked about Roman history, some fascinating finds along the wall and we also visited some of their projects around Auchinstarry and Croy, including the stunning giant head: Sylvanus.   

Next steps for the Antonine Wall team are to create walks along and around the wall in each of the council areas the route crosses.  They are also futher developing route guides to walk the 60km length of the wall from Old Kilpatrick on the Clyde to Bo'ness in the East. 

Volunteering opportunities with Cycling Without Age Scotland can be found here: https://cyclingwithoutage.scot/volunteer-with-us/

More about the wall can be found here: https://rediscoveringtheantoninewall.org/

And if you want to find out more, I recommend The Antonine Wall by David J Breeze: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-antonine-wall/david-breeze/9781912476930

And I do apologise on the podcast that it was not recorded in Edinburgh, but if you want to search out local Roman remains try these places: 

Inveresk, Cramond Fort, National Museum of Scotland, Callendar House in Falkirk and Rough Castle also in Falkirk.  There's plenty to discover! 

Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fysX6cLz7yiY15vh8

 

 

 

 

Hetty's History Walks is run by historian, Hetty Lancaster.  She runs tours across the city introducing both visitors and locals to fascinating facts about Edinburgh and its past.  We met on a sunny autumn day in Holyrood Park - the King's park which surrounds the Palace of Holyroodhouse and is a wild and beautiful spot right in the middle of the city. 

Hetty is going to join me regularly over the next few months, introducing us to different areas of Edinburgh and their history.  To kick things off we talked about her background and business, while also learning more about Holyrood Park and how the landscape has changed over the centuries. 

Listen out for heron spotting and some tourists wheeling their suitcase up Salisbury Crags - we round a great location for our recording and I hope you enjoy finding out more about the Park and its history too.  

Hetty's History Walks can be found on Instagram, Facebook and online: https://www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk/

 

Earlier this month I headed off to the outdoors Saturday market at Dalkeith Country Park to meet up with Nadine Pierce of Pentland Aromatics.  She has created a range of natural scented products from her home in the heart of the Pentlands, inspired by the stunning location where she lives.  Bringing nature inside through a range of scents, Nadine has taken her business from a lockdown soap-making hobby to becoming a successful retailer with a great brand. 

We talked keeping warm at outdoor markets, earthy smells and of course, Christmas.  You can find out more about Pentland Aromatics at www.pentlandaromatics.com and on Instagram.  

 

The Lost Shore Surf Resort is Edinburgh's coolest new activity centre and so much more.  Set beside the International Climbing Arena in Ratho to the west of the city and close to the airport, Lost Shore is centred around Europe's largest surf pool.  In addition to the pool the site includes luxury lodges, a wellness centre and events space, a restaurant, saunas and a surf shop.  Even in mid January the place was buzzing!

The technology within the pool creates a range of waves that are ideal for beginners to professionals and is a brilliant place to learn how to surf, or to hone your skills.   I met with Andy Hadden who has spent 12 years raising finance, designing the location and finally getting to open this amazing place. 

Listen to the story behind the development, hear how the waves are created, how people manage to be warm enough to surf in Scotland's winter and explore the site with me as I interview Andy beside the crashing waves while watching some seriously cool surfing!

Lost Shore Surf Resort: https://www.lostshore.com/

Google map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VMjgpZckhmhYqpdQ9

 

 

 

Katie Paterson is a truly inspiring and talented woman who has cycled round the world on an astounding journey, worked on national campaigns to get more people outside and launched the hugely successful The Outsiders outdoor networking group.  Now in it's second year, the group brings together sole traders and freelancers to 'netwalk' in the outdoors once a month in a different location in Edinburgh.  The group is inclusive and friendly and is growing fast, bringing a support network and providing a team or tribe for people who work alone and who want more of the outdoors in their life. 

I met Katie on top of Calton Hill where she had first experienced her Outsiders light bulb moment.  We talked about her epic round the world cycle, the life of a sole trader and how she finds inspiraton and regeneration from being outside.  If this episode doesn't make you leap off the sofa and head outside and up a hill, nothing will!

To join the Outsiders group or find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12952571/

To read Katie's fascinating blog about her round the world trip: https://thefreewheelers.uk

To see where we were and locate Calton Hill: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9eNG4nNe6czb2hHZ6

 

 

Calton Hill Conservation Trust is a relatively new team of volunteers who are preserving and enhancing the historic Calton Hill right in the middle of the city.   Set above Princes Street with stunning views in all directions, Calton Hill is a popular spot for visitors to escape the streets and see what it is that makes Edinburgh such a stunning location.   With views to the local hills, to Fife across the water and to the mountains in the North West, no wonder the hill attracts so many visitors. I went along to find out how the Trust was getting on and what their volunteers can expect to be involved in.

I met Simon Holledge who chairs the Conservation Trust that has been working to tidy up the hill, repair drainage and also to understand better the wildlife of this unique and special place.   Listeners can hear how the Trust was established, about recent wildlife surveys undertaken and some smatterings of history about the iconic structures on the hill. 

To find about more about the Calton Hill Conservation Trust:

https://caltonhilltrust.org/

To find the location:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WSLJx34zJH5uG1dK7

And to see a 1692 image of the view from Calton Hill:

https://www.roe.ac.uk/japwww/old_edinburgh/malloch_1693.jpg

 

 

Ruth Boreham is a local provider of women's history walks.   We met in the Old Town to enjoy a chat about Scotland's often overlooked, but hugely talented, women writers.  We started out in Lady Stair's Close which is home to a beautiful building that houses the Writers' Museum.  The Museum focuses on just three writers:  Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, but we talked women instead!

We also enjoyed studying the paving stones of Makar's Court which are covered in quotations from Scottish writers through the years.  

Lady Stair's Close is between the Mound and the Lawnmarket: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LVMx12gPuPYWVYzU7

If you want to find out more about the women writers we talked about you can find links below:

Mairi Mhor nan Oran: https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/2017/06/a-sense-of-place-in-the-poetry-of-mairi-mhor-nan-oran/

Susan Ferrier: https://www.nls.uk/learning-zone/literature-and-language/themes-in-focus/women-novelists/susan-ferrier/

DE Stevenson: https://dalyght.ca/DEStevenson/index.html

Mary Somerville: https://www.nls.uk/collections/john-murray/authors/mary-somerville/

Ruth Boreham's website is here: http://ruthboreham.com/

The Scottish Poetry Library is a great resource: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/

For the Scottish Women Writers book published by the National Museums of Scotland: here

The Edinburgh Union Canal opened in 1822 to transport coal and other goods into the city.  It closed to commercial traffic in the 1960s, but is now busy with rowers, canal boats and wildlife. Ford Buchanan is treasurer of the Edinburgh Union Canal Society, and he welcomed me for tea beside the well loved boathouse on Ashley Terrace, and we talked about how the society manages the age old tradition of Sunday afternoon boating and its role in supporting activities on the canal. We also talked about plans to build a new boathouse on the site and how people can come along and enjoy the society's events, which seem to involve quite a lot of cake, as well as its role in hiring out their own boats on a Sunday afternoon. 

So listen into our chat and  you'll hear school rowing boats and friends passing by and how Edinburgh's notorious Burke & Hare started out working on the canal. 

To view the Boathouse on Ashley Terrace and rent rowing boats go here

To find out more about EUCS: https://www.eucs.org.uk/

VIE Velo is an Edinburgh cycling community that pairs sighted and sight impaired cyclists who head out on tandems together.  This club is an example of how a passion for cycling transcends the usual volunteer/participant set-up, with all members of the club simply being there because they love cycling.   You'll also hear how much they love stopping for cake and chat too. 

I was blown away by the positivity and welcome I received from the members of VIE Velo and enjoyed talking to them about cycling, wearing bright pink, sight impairment and how this club is just an example of excellence.   

We talked in Abercorn Park in Portobello and then I met up with the cyclists heading out the following day from their base in Saughton Park. 

To find Abercorn Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VtaahqQ82XHBCfcQ6

To find Saughton Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/5nQj5KNs98HUrxA17

And for more about VIE Velo visit their website: https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/vie-velo

 

Could Lochend Park be the actual location of the famous Skating Minister painting by Henry Raeburn called: 'Skating on Duddingston Loch'?  Regular contributor, Hetty Lancaster, offers listeners an artistic challenge as she reveals the clues within the painting's background which indicate the loch where he skates may not be Duddingston, but might actually be at Lochend. 

Hetty takes us on a tour of Lochend Park to the North East of the City Centre.  The Park contains one of only two remaining ancient, glacial lochs in the city and is crammed full of history and heritage.  Originally the grounds of an old tower house, then the water source for Leith and the site of many years of industry, Lochend Park is now a wildlife haven in the middle of a built-up area.  It retains many indicators of its fascinating past.  

And enjoy listening out for Edinburgh Outdoor's first "pod-bomb" from a lifelong local resident who shared her family photos with us!

Find Lochend Park here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gv9tor8bwpvNAeGRA

To view the Skating Minister, here: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/5327

You can find the pictures we discussed which I have found are also on the excellent Threadinburgh site: here 

(and on Edinburgh Outdoors Instagram you can see Hetty's industry map showing the 'Lochend Butterfly')

To find out more about Hetty's History Walks: https://www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk/

 

 

Richard Love changed career in his mid forties to become a dry stone waller and has enjoyed a long career in the outdoors creating everything from Pentland walls to works of art for artists. 

Richard and I met in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh to view the Nepalese prayer gate, a project he worked on some years ago.  We rang the bell on the gate and talked about how it was constructed and how it stays standing, his career as a dry stone waller, his teaching of the craft, his previous role chairing the Drystone Walling Association, and his lifelong love of the outdoors. 

If you want to visit the Nepalese prayer gate you can find it here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Ywu743kN9czYtym8

For more information about the Drystone Walling Association: https://www.dswa.org.uk/

You can read about the construction of the prayer gate and view pictures on the RBGE website: https://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/29979

To find out more about storm Eowyn damage and donate to the RBGE recovery fund: https://www.rbge.org.uk/news/storm-eowyn/

 

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Sean Magee headed outdoors and launched CPS Activities after a long career in recruitment, first aid training and social care.  Having found the career of his dreams means Sean can now take put his well-honed teaching skills into practice up in the hills teaching navigational skills, outdoors awareness, rock climbing and mountain guiding. 

In a first for Edinburgh Outdoors we were slightly inside and started out talking in Sean's campervan in Castlelaw carpark on a Sunday morning, but once the sun came out we headed up the hill to view the Iron Age Souterain and enjoy some views.   Sean has good views on career change, following your heart and gives some great tips for what to take on a hill walk, how to keep warm (always useful on this podcast!) and what to carry in your rucksack.   

If you want to visit the Souterain yourself, it is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jta8qjHaGiTP8Wdu5

And to find out more about Sean's business: https://cpsactivities.com/mountain-leader-and-climbing-instructor/

 

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Tracy Griffen is a really impressive personal trainer who uses the outdoors as a core part of her workouts.  After leaving Australia thirty years ago, Tracy has built a business that brings the Scottish outdoors into people's active lives.  Like many of us she relishes the changing seasons and brings a sense of nature into her courses and sessions.   

We walked round Pilrig Park which is to the North East of Edinburgh and has previously been a private garden of a grand house and the site of a 16th century fort, but is now a busy city park.  We discovered a connection to Robert Louis Stevenson's mother who lived in the house and checked out Edinburgh's oldest allotments where Tracy has a plot and brews up tasty mint tea.  We also met Coco the fitness pug - Edinburgh Outdoors' first canine interviewee. 

Find out about Tracy's upcoming courses and hear about how she uses unusual items around Edinburgh's parks to recreate the benefits of a gym without the monthly fee and having to be inside.

To visit Pilrig Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pfAsqj4ub34pExfW7

To find out more about Griffen Fitness: https://www.griffenfitness.com/

And the facinating and clever Threadinburgh website has a page about the Stevenson's family, the Balfours, and their association with Pilrig House:  here

 

 

Join Euan Baxter of the Save the Roseburn Path campaign and me as we walk the Telford and Roseburn paths on his morning commute.  Once a railway line, the Paths were opened in the eighties by cycling campaigners and the route is now teeming with cyclists, walkers and runners either commuting or just enjoying their local stretch of nature.  With trees, birds and other wildlife it's a valuable part of Edinburgh's parklands. 

Join our chat about the path, listening to birds, spotting plant life and finding out about the campaign to save the Path from becoming a major tram route from Granton to the City centre. 

The City Council is launching a consultation on the tram route during August for 12 weeks, so listen in, visit and enjoy this special place, then have your say. 

You can find out more about the campaign here: https://www.savetheroseburnpath.com/

You can find the consultation details HERE

We met at the Red Bridge HERE

And walked to HERE

Read my Substack HERE

Edinburgh is a beautiful city and of course, many of its views make great photographs.  I headed up Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park with photographer Jason Baxter to find out how to get that killer shot of my home town.  We talked careers, the beauty of Holyrood Park and Arthurs Seat and the frustration of an easterly wind which brings Edinburgh's haar.

Jason has photographed Edinburgh and Scotland for many years and his pictures grace the walls of the Airport, so take a look next time you're there.

To find out more about Jason: https://www.jasonbaxter.media/

We were photographing up the Crags: HERE

And then after a circuit of the Crags we walked back to the Palace via Hunters Bog which is HERE

 

Cramond Island is a tidal island in the Forth Estuary which has a long and varied history and is  really worth a visit.  The area was an important port during Roman times and remains of a large fort can still be seen beside the church.  The island was once a farm, a popular holiday destination and then was occupied during the first and second world wars as a strategic defence site.  Many WW2 remains can still be visited including gun emplacements, armouries, lookout posts and traces of an old railway on the beach. 

I crossed the causeway with Ian Rodger of the Cramond Heritage Trust to discover the history of this fascinating place.  The Cramond Heritage Trust offers tours of the island via their website and also has a great museum in the Maltings on shore at Cramond itself. 

To visit the island you should first checkout the safe crossing times on the South Queensferry RNLI website: https://www.queensferrylifeboat.co.uk/cramond-tides

The Cramond Heritage Trust website is here: https://cramondheritage.org.uk/

 

 

Many people don't know that Edinburgh was once a walled city, so we set off to find traces of the old walls that still remain.   In the times when the extent of the city covered the area we now call the 'old town' it was enclosed to protect its residents from attack and also to control commercial activity.  Remnants of the wall remain today, some dating back to the fourteenth century, and many people walk past them unaware of these ancient relics.  There are also indications of walls dating as far back as the twelfth century.   Many of our road names are indicators of the location of the walls and gates - known as 'ports' - in and out of the city.

I headed out with podcast regular, Hetty Lancaster of Hetty's History Walks, to discover some bits of the wall and its history.  It was one of the most interesting podcasts I have recorded.  Listen in to join Hetty and me as we disappear into the closes of the Royal Mile to find original sections of the wall and learn when and why they were built.  There is a lot more of the original walls remaining than you might realise!

A useful map of Edinburgh city walls which is discussed on the podcast, can be found here: https://www.trove.scot/image/1323636   Places we found parts of the wall include: Tweedale Court, location of the oldest, King's Wall:  here John Knox House, probable original site of the Netherbow Port: here Wall based image of the original Netherbow Port (look up!): here Brass markings on the roadway showing the later site of the Netherbow Port: here  Long section of the Flodden Wall: here You can find sections of the walls in Greyfriar's Kirkyard: here Further sections of the Flodden and Telfer wall are in the Vennel: here   And to find out more, the Book of the Old Edinburgh Club has been publishing scholarly articles about Edinburgh's history since 1908. Enter what you are looking for (e.g. city walls) in the pages 'search' function: https://oldedinburghclub.org.uk/boec/   Details of Hetty's History Walks can be found here: https://www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk    

Early in the year I met with Clare Stephen of Wild Workforce to talk about how getting out into our forests can help HR and employee wellbeing.  We discussed Clare's experiences around mental health at work and about her ambition to turn her relatively new business into a CIC so she can work with a wider range of organisations.  Since we met she has now succeeded and her CIC has launched.   Her work on mental wellbeing and the outdoors is going from strength to strength. 

We met on the shores of Loch Leven: HERE 

Clare's business can be found https://www.wildworkforce.com/

 

 

Over 12 miles long, the Water of Leith snakes through Edinburgh from Balerno to the Forth Estuary.  Formerly a working river and home to over 70 mills, it is now a nature reserve with a walkway along its length, which makes for a great walk. 

I met with Senior Ranger, Johnny Wells, to find out how the Water of Leith Conservation Trust manages the space and all its challenges.  Johnny was a terrific interviewee and entertained me thoughout my visit with tales of his past, his current role and how volunteers support the work of the Trust.   Johnny is a tree hugger and has had a surprising and fascinating career.   

We met at the Water of Leith visitor centre in Slateford and then walked towards Colinton. 

The Water of Leith visitor centre: here

The Water of Leith Conservation Trust website: https://www.waterofleith.org.uk/

 

Sunshine on Leith garden is a community space which is supported by Edible Estates.  Set in an old drying green behind tenements, the garden is a great example of community spirit.   Residents are each allocated a small plot for their own growing and the hidden gem of a garden also offers a place of tranquility and escape for flat dwellers.

While you can't just drop by to enjoy the garden yourself, you can find out more about them on Facebook and they are also interested in partnering with like minded groups.  They also have a turnover of beds, so it's worth getting in touch if you are keen to do some gardening on a smaller and less scary scale than taking on an allotment. 

While this was recorded a while back now, you can still enjoy the sounds of birdsong and the joy of a garden in the sunshine. 

The garden is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/h4FjARqepk8q4o6v9

Website: https://www.edibleestates.co.uk/project/sunshine-on-leith-garden/

Facebook Group: here

 

Gracemount Walled Garden is in the south of Edinburgh and is run by the excellent team from Transition Edinburgh South for and by the local community. 

There's so much going on there, including: events, school programmes, volunteering, free Friday lunches and tons of veg.   The team is unfailingly positive and an inspiration in how to work with a community and create a space that is open to all.   I went along to chat to them and find out more about the garden, its role and how people can support the great things Transition Edinburgh South is doing.

You can find the garden on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/T3sojwT4eeFFAn6Q8

The long email address to get in touch  which we discus on the podcast, is this: contact@transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk

The TES website is here: https://www.transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk/

To find out more about the Gracemount Mansion and it's redevelopment: https://www.gracemountmansion.com/

 

 

 

 

 

I joined the always interesting, Angus Miller of GeoWalks for another exploration of Edinburgh's geology.  We headed up to Blackford Hill and into the Hermitage to discover how our hills were formed by volcanic activity and then shaped through glaciation.  Many of us walk around our local greenspace without knowing where to spot fascinating glimpses of how the city was formed millions of years ago. 

We started out by Agassiz Rock, a SSSI and site of glaciation discovery; explored the Hermitage ravine which was formed by a dramatic flood of glacial meltwater; and then discovered the layers of different rock that form Blackford Hill after multiple volcanic eruptions.   Check out the links below to find the spots we visited and discover more about this brilliant history for yourself. 

Agassiz Rock is in Blackford Glen: HERE

You can read more about it on the Edinburgh Geological Society website: HERE  

The "Scout Bridge" is where the glens merge: HERE

The Hermitage can be accessed from either Braid Road, Morningside or Blackford Glen Road, Liberton (on foot once you enter the reserve from the entrance points): HERE

Blackford Hill has great views of the city: HERE

The wall with the different rocks along its top: HERE

The site of the three layers of volcanic rock is beside the Duck Pond: HERE

And if you want to know more about Angus Miller and GeoWalks: https://geowalks.scot/

 

Bonaly Country Park is on the edge of the Pentland Hills and was the location for a kids’ Green Explorers day run by the impressive Green Team charity.  As I go round meeting people through the Edinburgh outdoors community, the name of the Green Team comes up time and again because they work with so many organisations.

The Green Team inspires kids and young people to find enjoyment and support from the outdoors.  From a fun day foraging and playing games to volunteering on conservation projects, there are activities for all ages.  I met some of the team including Co Chief Executive, Penny Radway, and some exuberant and joyful 8-12 year olds to find out more about the charity.   Our location was here

To find the Green Team and sign up for Green Explorers or other programmes: https://www.Green team.org.uk

 

Join me as I head out with historian Hetty Lancaster of Hetty's History Walks to discover the history of Abbeyhill and its Colonies.  We toured old industrial sites, spotted ghost signs and repurposed buildings and Hetty told me all about Edinburgh's unique housing developments: the Colonies.

To follow our tour yourself:

We started at Meadowbank Shopping Centre and walked to the former Dunbar water factory ghost sign HERE

We viewed the former Redpath Brown factory on Albion Road HERE

The former shop at Sunnyside is viewed from Bothwell St HERE

The printwork and houses on Edina Place HERE

The Abbeyhill Colonies are HERE

You can view a copy of the railway map on Edinphoto 

To read Hetty's article on the Colonies and see old photographs: https://www.colonyofartists.co.uk/history

You can find Hetty's History Walks on her website: https://www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk/

 

 

Dr Neil's Garden is a secret space tucked beneath Arthurs Seat and beside a loch in Duddingston.  Created on wild land by two doctors years ago, it's now a tranquil space with views, seating areas, meandering paths and a historic curling tower to discover.

I met with head gardener, Alan Mitchell to find out about the garden's history and its volunteers.  After a sneak peek into the curling tower and a wander round this beautiful space, Alan told me about his passion for spoon carving and how he teaches his craft.  

Listen in for some terrific background bird sounds and to find out more about this garden - once a local's secret, but now attracting thousands of visitors each year.  The garden is signposted from the Duddingston Kirk car park or from the Causeway in the village.  

Find Dr Neil's Garden HERE

For What3Words: https://w3w.co/blaze.gold.rapid

The garden has a website: https://www.drneilsgarden.co.uk/

And is on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drneilsgarden/

Alan's Alien Spoon carving is here: https://alienspoons.co.uk/

 

 

Princes Street Gardens right in the centre of Edinburgh beneath the Castle is a public park with a long history.  It was formerly a loch and was drained to remove the stench of the city's sewage and to create a park for residents.   It's now a popular spot, so I headed into the Gardens with Hetty Lancaster of Hetty's History Walks to find out more about the park's history.

A regular guest expert on the podcast, Hetty turned the tables in the second half of the recording and asked me about why I set up Edinburgh Outdoors - something a bit different!

We met in Princes Street Gardens by the Ross Fountain

We discussed the Robert Louise Stevenson monument

and the Floral Clock 

You can find old pictures of Edinburgh and Princes Street Gardens on Capital Collections

There's one of the Nor Loch

Find out about Hetty's History Walks: https://www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk/

Find out more on my social media including Instagram, Facebook and Substack

Edinburgh Sketcher is part of the fabric of the city.  He captures the everyday moments, events and views that represent Edinburgh life.  I met him on Calton Hill and watched as he created a journal sketch of our conversation and the views we were enjoying while talking.   He gave a great insight into how he thinks through a drawing and talks about career change and gives brilliant top tips for capturing every day events on paper.

If you want to see Mark's picture you can find it on the links below. 

We met HERE 

Mark's website is here: https://www.edinburghsketcher.com/

You can view the sketch on Substack: https://substack.com/@edinburghoutdoors

It's also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edinburghoutdoors_

And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edinburghoutdoors

 

Join me as I head off foraging in the Hermitage of Braid woodlands with the brilliant Hana Koen.  Find out all about the fascinating funghi we found, their medicinal properties and culinary flavours and discover how many are hiding in plain sight.  We wandered through the very cold and sunny November sunshine and talked about mushrooms, dealing with an autism diagnosis and Hanna gave a great explanation of queer mycology theory before sharing her beautiful sketchbook.   

A fascinating and education episode! 

We met in the Hermitage HERE

We walked on the higher path to the north and then back by the Braid Burn from the Scout Bridge HERE

You can find Hana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foraging.gardener/

She is also on Substack: https://foraginggardener.substack.com/about

You can see photographs from our foraging on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edinburghoutdoors_/

I also upload photography and background to Substack: https://substack.com/@edinburghoutdoors

 

Kinneil Estate in Bo'ness on the Forth Estuary is a brilliant place to discover history from Romans to the present day.  With a Roman fortlet, a grand old tower house, the location of James Watt's original workshop, ruined villages, birdlife on the loch and much more, it's a great place for a day out discovering the area.  

I met with Adrian Mahoney of the Bo'net group to find out all about the Estate and about it's tiny museum which is under threat.  Join me on a grand day out!

You can find the Estate HERE

It's worth checking in advance if you want to visit the museum as it's sometimes closed

The Roman fortlet is HERE

The nature reserve is HERE

Bo'net: https://bonet.org.uk/

Friends of Kinneil: https://kinneil.org.uk/friends/

For the audio trail of the estate visit Izzy Travel and/or download the app: https://izi.travel/en

The Historic Environment Scotland site for Kinneil House: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/kinneil-house/

 

 

Lauriston Farm is an inspiring local collective that is transforming a former traditional farm into a biodiverse space that includes community allotments, woodland spaces and a market garden producing food for communities.  I had a wander round with Grower, Dav Shand to find out about their food poverty programme, discover what agroecology is and to understand more about their  food production, partnerships and vision.  We saw the thousands of trees planted on the side of the Forth and the many initiatives introduced by the workers' cooperative.  You can visit the community spaces and woodland and also attend workshops and open days at the Farm itself.   It's a terrific example of an inspired community of people working together for good. 

To visit you can go HERE

The farm and community have a website: https://www.lauristonfarm.scot/

To find out more about open days: https://www.lauristonfarm.scot/events/

They are on Instagram too: https://www.instagram.com/eaclauristonfarm

 

How often when walking round Edinburgh do you look up?  Podcast regular, Hetty Lancaster of Hetty's History Walks, took me on a walk around Stockbridge in the north of the city, to look at historic gems hidden in plain sight. 

From the original Stockbridge Market and the history of market gardening to the ornate and bizarre gateposts around the original Inverleith Estate, we discovered things you may walk past every day, but never notice.

We started out at Duncansland HERE

We walked down the Water of Leith from HERE

The Falshaw Bridge is HERE

You can find the picture we discuss on the Capital Collections website HERE

The gateposts with the strange lions are HERE

Plant Alley and the boating pond is HERE

The Sundial Garden is HERE

The final gateposts are opposite the John Hope Gateway HERE

Hetty's History Walks organises group and private walks around the city: https://www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk/

 

 

Find out about the brilliant Friends of Montgomery Street Park who have brought real joy to  volunteering.  I went along to see how a Council owned park between Leith Walk and Easter Road has been transformed into a wildlife spot and a haven for local residents.  A former bowling green, the site now has fruit trees, a wildflower meadow, spring bulbs and a rejuvenated playpark.  The team has also created a groundbreaking community magazine, Parklife, working with local artists, journalists, writers and designers to produce a stunning publication.

My visit began finding out about Parklife and volunteering, then ended with a great conversation about "Ecotherapy", getting married on Calton Hill and as always, some favourite spots across the city. 

Montgomery Street Park is HERE

The artist who has transformed the helter skelter into artworks is Paul Meikle: https://paulypocket.com/about/

Follow or find out more about the Friends of Montgomery Street Park HERE

They are also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerystreetpark

 

 

Siccar Point near Cockburnspath is a stunning viewpoint where Father of Geology James Hutton, found evidence to support his theories which influenced modern day geology.  It's a great walk with superb views and is going to be transformed through a project spearheaded by the Edinburgh Geological Society.    The project will bring improved access and interpretation for visitors and its launch will coincide with the James Hutton Tercentenary in 2026.

I stepped out along the cliffs with podcast regular, geologist Angus Miller, to find out why Siccar Point is so significant and to learn more about the crowdfunding campaign for this important project. 

To find out more about James Hutton, his influence and the Tercentenary, visit: https://james-hutton.org/

To read about the project, the crowdfunder, the Dynamic Earth event and how you can get hold of some of the 'rewards': https://edinburghgeolsoc.org/support-the-deep-time-trail/

The crowdfunder, including a film about the site, is HERE

To learn about the James Hutton Insititute: https://www.hutton.ac.uk/

The Scottish Geology Trust is here: https://www.scottishgeologytrust.org/

Angus and I met HERE

And the viewpoint is HERE

 

The Treecreepers is a fairly new birdwatching and nature group for 18-35 year olds organised by conservationist and bird expert, El.  I headed up Corstorphine Hill with El to see if we could spot any birds and listen to their sounds.  While there she told me about the group, why she set it up and its popularity.  We also talked about roles for young people in conservation, her love of the outdoors and why Corstorphine Hill is a great place to visit. The birds we heard/saw: buzzard; nuthatch; long tailed tit; blue tit; goldcrest; chiffchaff; chaffinch; goldfinch.

We met at the entrance on Corstorphine Road: HERE 

The Treecreepers on Instagram: @the_treecreepers

The Treecreepers on Substack: https://thetreecreepers.substack.com/

Please email El if you have any secondhand binoculars you are happy to gift to her groups: mailto:thetreecreepers@outlook.com

You can read my occasional Substack thoughts and view pictures of the recordings here: https://edinburghoutdoors.substack.com/

Edinburgh Outdoors is also on Instagram and Facebook 

 

 

Join me for an interesting afternoon with Tamsin Grainger discovering all about Granton's history.  As I become more fascinated by the area and it's special character, it was good to find out more about its past.  Join us as we head out to walk along the shore seeing seals, brick beaches and quirky statues while we delve into stories of the area and what draws Tamsin to the outdoors.  And find the history behind 'walking like a tortoise'.

We met at Wardie Bay HERE

We visited the Pianodrome HERE

The sailor statues are HERE

The 'brick beach' is HERE

The Pitt and sauna is HERE

You can read Tamsin's material on the links below: www.tamsingrainger.com and walkingwithoutadonkey.com

She was winner of the Walk•Listen•Create Marŝarto Award 2024 LINK

And Tamsin is author of 'Working with Death and Loss in Shiatsu Practice, a guide to holistic bodywork in palliative care' (Singing Dragon, 2020).  LINK

Bluesky: @walknodonkey.bsky.social

Instagram: tamsinshiatsu

 

St Cuthbert's Kirkyard has been a religious site since the 7th century and is one of Edinburgh's ancient graveyards.  Originally outside the ancient city walls, the Kirkyard is now right in the centre, beneath the Castle and beside Princes Street Gardens.  Often used as a local's cutthrough, it's so much more. I met with death historian, Charlotte Golledge to discover the secrets and history of the graveyard.  From the Agatha Christie to bodysnatching, I discovered fascinating stories in a beautiful location that's really worth a visit.

To visit the Kirkyard:  HERE 

Amongst others, Charlotte has written a book - The Graveyards & Cemeteries of Edinburgh: HERE

You can find Charlotte on her Instagram, The Death Historian: https://www.instagram.com/the_death_historian/

 

 

In this episode we head out to find lost stones from a church built in the 1400s which are now scattered across the city.  When the church was demolished to make way for Waverley Station, the Council left stones piled on Calton Hill for 30 years.  During this time many disappeared and a project funded by the Old Edinburgh Club is now finding where they went. 

Join me with historians, Hetty Lancaster and Jill Harrison as I learn more about the church, the stones and we head out to see what we can find. 

The podcast starts at the church built with only a third of the original stones, The Trinity Apse (NB you cannot currently go inside): HERE.

We also view stones in the courtyard of the Museum of Edinburgh: HERE

And others in Greyfriars Kirkyard: HERE

You can also see more at the National Museum of Scotland: HERE

The Trinity Stones website: https://www.revivingthetrinitystones.co.uk/

The link to the crowdfunding: https://www.gofundme.com/f/revive-the-trinity-stones-a-precious-part-of-old-edinburgh

The Old Edinburgh Club website: https://oldedinburghclub.org.uk/

Hetty's History Walks website: https://www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk/

The Trinity Project: https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/trinitynetwork/the-trinity-network-who-are-we/

Read more on my Substack: https://edinburghoutdoors.substack.com/p/edinburgh-outdoors-podcast

 

 

Lifelong railway enthusiast and author, Kenneth Williamson, grew up in Granton.  We walked around Barnton to view old railway lines and historic buildings while talking about his life and memories.  

Kenneth's website: https://www.trainbuff.net/

We met in Silverknowes

The old Goods Yard (now Tesco) HERE

The former Station Master's house HERE 

The entrance to Royal High School and the view of the railway line/driveway is HERE

Davidson's Mains Park is HERE

The old well is HERE

The Maitland Bowling Club is HERE

The skew bridge is HERE

 

 

 

Midhope Castle on the Hopetoun Estate is an old tower house packed full of history. To many people it is better known as Lallybroch, the beautiful and atmospheric ancestral home of Jamie Fraser in the Outlander TV series.  

Once a bin store and farmyard, the Midhope has become incredibly popular with Outlander fans and people keen to seek out filming locations.  The team at Hopetoun has been working to enhance the visitor experience and welcome the many thousands who make the pilgrimage to Jamie's home. 

I went behind the scenes of Lallybroch to hear some filming secrets, get a special peek inside the building and to discover many of the filming locations around the site.  I met the team responsible for creating a visitor experience and I enjoyed the romance and mystery of this really special and historic building. 

You can visit Midhope / Lallybroch HERE

There is a website with more information: https://www.midhopecastle.com/

Hopetoun Estate has a section about Outlander filming locations and a map to help you find them HERE

The woodland walk with Jamie's cave and other locations is HERE

Abercorn Church can be found HERE 

You can enjoy a beautiful walk from Blackness Castle (another Outlander location) to Abercorn and Midhope along the John Muir Way, starting HERE

The Astley Ainsley hospital site is a large area of green space in the south of the city.  With wild areas, protected buildings and teeming with wildlife, it's a surprisingly special space.  The Astley Ainsley Community Trust is working to protect the area as the NHS is moving out of some of it and parts of the site will be sold.  There are plans for retaining its wildness, creating community greenspace and ensuring it remains available for recuperation and recreation, in line with its original purpose.

Join me on a wander around the site, discovering its long history, its unique spaces and listening to some incredible bird sounds.

You can access the site from Morningside or Grange HERE

The Astley Ainsley Community Trust website is here: https://www.aact.scot/

 

Binning Wood is in East Lothian beyond North Berwick and is a historic wood.  Once used to build warplanes and then replanted after the war, it's packed full of different trees and was an ideal location for my walk with Jean Nairn.  Binning is home to wide walkways through native trees, a beautiful green burial site and little hidden spaces. 

Jean worked in forestry and while she still works with trees, it's now in a very different - and fascinating - way.  We headed out into Binning to enjoy nature sights and sounds and to find out more about Jean and her love of trees. 

You can find Binning Wood HERE

Jean's Woodlands Breathing site can be found here: https://www.woodlandsbreathing.co.uk/

Find out more about green burials at Binning: https://www.binningwood.co.uk/

 

Gorgie City Farm is remembered fondly by everyone.  Now remerged as Gorgie Community Farm, the location is being revitalised by a new team.  As trustees, gardeners and volunteers breathe life into the space, focusing initially on the community garden, it's packed full of potential to bring back an essential green space for the area. 

I went along to meet the people transforming it, to find out what they've been doing and to talk about the future.  As volunteers return and we head towards Spring, it was a great time to find out what's planned. 

The site is HERE

To find out more: https://gorgiecommunityfarm.co.uk/

The team has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GorgieCommunityFarm/

And an Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gorgiecommunityfarm/

And if you are interested in gardener Johanna's journey through the garden, she has an Instagram too: https://www.instagram.com/gorgiefarmgarden

 

Easter and Wester Craiglockhart Hills are part of Edinburgh's Seven Hills.  In the south of the city, Easter Craiglockhart is a nature reserve and is teeming with wildlife, great views and a strong volunteer group.

Join me as I find out how the excellent volunteering team on Easter Craiglockhart Hill has been transforming the site with new trees, spring flowers and an island for the pond.  Listen to this first episode of Season 5 to hear about the work that's ongoing and to learn about the new island and the newly designated Iron Age hillfort.

Recorded last year, this episode brings you Spring just when you need it!  With birdsong, primoroses and ducklings the Hill was literally springing into life. 

The Hill can be accessed beside the pond on Lockarton Crescent HERE

You can find out more, see what wildlife has been spotted and learn about upcoming events, or join in with the team of volunteers here: https://www.eastercraiglockharthill.org/

The Friends have an active Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EasterCraiglockhartHill/